Topic

Agreements and politics

Bilateral treaties, the tax agreement, federal votes and reforms affecting cross-border workers.

All articles

333 articles on agreements and politics, newest first.

• Electricity grid: green light to accelerate works

  The Parliament approves the revision of the law on electrical systems to renew more than 60% of the very high voltage lines and simplify the process.

• Bilateral Agreements III: the Council of States opens the debate

  With 29 votes against 15, the Council of States entered into consideration today of the Swiss-EU stabilization package, Bilaterals III.

• Bilateral Agreements III: Council of States enters into deliberations

  The proposal to consider the bill was approved by 29 votes to 15. A new authority for state aid is planned, along with an extension of the hotel VAT rate to 3,8%.

• Faster and more modern grids: Parliament accelerates the electric revolution

  Over 60% of the very high voltage lines are close to the end of life; the threshold for overhead lines is 220 kV, while the distribution network involves voltages >36 kV and the new stations will not be able to exceed 20 m2 in surface area and 3 m in height.

• Joseph Deiss: we want an active and evolutionary neutrality

  Over seven out of ten voters rejected the initiative for stricter neutrality; Deiss, at La Matinale RTS, stresses the need for active and evolutionary neutrality.

• Neutrality: 70% reject Blocher's initiative

  70% of voters rejected the neutrality initiative; Christoph Blocher's campaign cost nearly 4 million francs, strengthening the Federal Council's position.

• Bilateral Agreements III: Marathon begins in the Council of States

  The three-day debate on the Switzerland-EU stabilization package begins today. At least five Federal Councillors are expected in the chamber.

• September 27 vote: a resounding no to neutrality and food

  On 27 September, over 70% rejected the neutrality initiative and 72.5% rejected the food initiative in all cantons.

• Initiative on neutrality rejected by the Swiss people

  The neutrality initiative was rejected with approximately 70% voting no; it did not obtain a majority of the cantons after the count in 15 of them, while Ticino shows a slight divergence.

• Neutrality initiative: rejected by 70,2% of voters

  70,2% of voters rejected the initiative on neutrality. The no vote came from all Cantons, with voter turnout at 47,1%.

• Swiss vote: no to neutrality and food security

  70,1% reject the initiative on neutrality and 72,5% the one on food security. All cantons voted against it.

• Switzerland: food and neutrality rejected

  72.5% of voters reject the food initiative. Cassis confirms the current practice on neutrality. Turnout at 47.03%.

• Neutrality, Cassis: we are neutral and will remain so

  Ignazio Cassis says he is satisfied after the initiative was rejected: Switzerland can continue with the current practice and assess economic sanctions on a case-by-case basis.

• Zug, 25 years ago the massacre in the Parliament chamber

  On September 27, 2001, Friedrich Leibacher killed 14 people and wounded 15 in the Zug Parliament, firing 91 shots in 2 minutes and 34 seconds, leading to a change in security.

• Food initiative: decisively rejected by the cantons

  The food initiative was decisively rejected by the Swiss cantons. In Ticino, those opposed reached 68.66%.

• Neutrality initiative rejected by 71%

  The national projection indicates a net 71% no for the Neutrality Initiative. In Ticino the no stands at 51.2% after 86 municipalities.

• Votes 27 September 2026: results and projections

  The projections on federal initiatives, the vote in Graubünden, and local planning in Poschiavo on September 27, 2026.

• Federal votes: neutrality and feeding at the polls

  The Swiss population votes today on neutrality and food. The key data, polls and the position of the federal institutions.

• Parental leave: 136 thousand signatures collected in Switzerland

  Popular initiative for parental leave successful with 136'000 signatures. Submission planned at the Federal Chancellery.

• Parental leave: 136'000 signatures collected for the initiative

  136'000 signatures have been collected for the initiative on parental leave. The submission to the Federal Chancellery is scheduled for next week.

• Ubs: relocation of headquarters unlikely, according to Keller-Sutter

  According to Karin Keller‑Sutter, moving Ubs’s headquarters abroad would be much more costly and legally complex; the Federal Council has already granted concessions regarding the Capital Adequacy Ordinance.

• Parental leave: initiative reaches quorum

  136'000 signatures collected for the initiative «Strong society and economy thanks to parental leave»: 18 weeks of paid leave proposed for mothers and fathers.

• Swiss universities: AI changes the assessment of theses

  University of Zurich, ZHAW and SUPSI review examination methods, focusing on oral exams and transparency in the use of artificial intelligence.

• Bregaglia, compensation for four dismissed nurses

  CSB awards compensation to four nurses dismissed in February 2025 following a settlement before the District Court.